Emmett Harris's blog

In 1787, when asked about his opinion of the Philadelphia constitutional proceedings happening in secret, Patrick Henry famously replied, “I smell a rat!” Henry opposed the proposed Constitution because he feared it would centralize power in a strong national government. This put Henry at odds with the Federalists, who viewed the existing Articles of Confederation as an insufficient yoke to bind the several states into “a more perfect union.” But Henry was not alone in his opposition. Many throughout the newly independent states shared his fears. Collectively, they came to be known as Antifederalists, and New Hampshire had a strong contingent.More...

In the dark months of winter, when the moon casts its light on canescent mounds of snow, the latter become fields of icy, glowing gems, riches to behold for the eyes of the careful observer. The angle must be just so to reap the rewards of this natural sacrament. This heightens the transcendence of the moment – the moment we realize that treasures surround us.

One must be observant to glimpse the majesty of nature. So too, the intrepid searcher of hidden restaurant treasures must be equally observant to find the amazing gastronomical gems that can be found in surprising places in New Hampshire. The Crystal Quail is one such gem. More...

The Shining was a Disco-era bestseller from Maine's Master of Macabre, Stephen King, but it was the foreboding grandeur of the Overlook Hotel and Jack Nicholson's portrayal of dangerous dull-boy Jack Torrance that made The Shining a part of modern culture. While it was the Stanley Hotel in Colorado that reportedly inspired King, the author could have looked a lot closer to home for his supernatural stimulation. More...

Canterbury's Baptist Hill Road is a timeless stretch of pavement, meandering through the rolling hills of northern Merrimack County, closely guarded by a phalanx of trees on either side. Though many years and even more miles separate Chaucer's Canterbury from its New Hampshire counterpart, it's easy to picture the famed English writer's caravan of story-telling pilgrims making their way along the path in search of a hearty meal and a frothy pint. The former can be had by taking a quick detour down Briar Bush Road, where the nearby Fox Country Smokehouse offers locally prepared meats and cheeses to satisfy any traveler's appetite; for the latter, however, our wayfarers need look no further, for they will find a cool draught served with warm conversation at Baptist Hill's own Canterbury AleWorks.

The brewery is located at 305 Baptist Hill Road, but a lengthy driveway keeps it hidden from casual passersby. Nonetheless, when the “open” flag is flying, you can rest assured the beer is flowing. More...

Individual sovereignty is a concept that formed the bedrock of Common Law traditions extending back to the Magna Carta. Its essence is self-ownership, and its antithesis is subservience and slavery. The idea is axiomatic. Some have even called it self-evident. There are few expressions, however, that encapsulate the sentiment's thrust better than the well-worn saying “a man's home is his castle.” And perhaps it was the latter that spurred a handful of New Hampsirites to erect homes that have taken the castle concept from the cognitive realm to the weighty domain of stone masonry. More...

New Hampshirites are known for their fierce independence, encapsulated in the oft-quoted state motto: “Live Free or Die.” The motto isn’t a floating abstraction either. Article 10 of the state constitution’s Bill of Rights, described as the “Right of Revolution,” adds some legal teeth to it by declaring: More...

2011 Endorsement: Gary Johnson, former Governor of New Mexico and current candidate for President, attended PorcFest 2011 and was asked about the FSP. He said it's "a wonderful idea" and he hopes "it will be a model for the rest of the country.
(Video attached).

2012 Endorsement: "Yea! Go Free State Project. Wow. What a model. What a terrific model. When I was governor of new Mexico, the Free State Project came to my attention [...2]0,000 people who said they're going to relocate in some area in the United States, get elected to all the offices and basically "hands off" when it comes to the government. Very very very libertarian, if not anarchist. Anarchist being complete government void. No government! well, Terrific! I wanted to see that happen in New Mexico, it's now happening in New Hampshire. Good thing. Really a terrific thing. I just applaud the Free State project. I look forward to successes from the Free State Project that the country emulates."
Full video here.

In an hour-long interview on Keene’s syndicated talk radio show, Free Talk Live, Lew called Keene “The northern capital of libertarianism” and suggested it was the epicenter of NH liberty activism. Lew identified himself as an “enthusiastic supporter” of the Free State Project, saying, “I definitely endorse the Free State Project."

"As the Secretary of the Libertarian Party of Tennessee, I have been asked to send notification to you regarding a recent resolution that was an endorsement of the goals of the Free State Project that was introduced at our 2010 state convention on Saturday, March 27, 2010. The wording of the resolution reads:

"The Libertarian Party of Tennessee formally endorses the stated goals and outstanding activism demonstrated by the dedicated membership of the Free State Project.'